Ben Roethlisberger: The Browns have given
up the most passing touchdowns (25) in the league.
Grab a Helmet
Ben
Roethlisberger @ CLE: Listen, it’s no secret the Browns
are playing dead on defense this season. They lack talent up front,
and everything collapses from there. They’ve given up 20-plus fantasy
points to every quarterback NOT named Fitzpatrick, and Roethlisberger
comes off a 400-yard, 3-touchdown gem against the Cowboys last week.
Big Ben looked much healthier in that game, and although he lacks
consistent options outside of Brown and Bell, the Browns have little
hope of stopping the Steelers. After a four-game skid, the Steelers
HAVE to have this one and as bad as they are on defense, they’ll
probably continue to score as many points as possible. Fire Ben
up as a top tier QB1.
Cam
Newton vs. NO (THU): Although they’ve given up some monster
yardage games this year, I was surprised to learn the New Orleans
defense hasn’t given up more than two passing touchdowns in a game.
Both teams are likely playing for their season, and I think superman
puts his cape on this week. Newton has been well off his MVP pace
this year. Big hits, injuries to his line and a defense that isn’t
getting as many turnovers have all contributed to the fall of fantasy’s
former No.1 QB. Newton was solid in a tough road start at Kansas
City last week, and he had his best rushing performance since Week
1 with 54 yards and a score. The Saints defense is improving slightly
and had some takeaways last week against Denver, but Newton absolutely
dominated this team in their two games last year, and with the season
on the line I trust Cam to put up QB1 numbers.
Marcus
Mariota @ IND: With so many juicy quarterback matchups
in Week 11, I’m not about to leave Marcus out of the mix. There’s
perhaps no hotter quarterback in the league over the last six weeks.
The second-year signal caller out of Oregon has spread the ball
around to a bevy of receivers and was an absolute surgeon last week
against the Packers. The Titans running game makes the play action
pass deadly, and Mariota’s ability to extend plays with his legs
give more chances for big plays. He sports a 17-3 touchdown to interception
ratio over his last six games, and has two 60-plus rushing yard
games. The Colts have predictably struggled to generate any pressure
and Mariota should have time in the pocket to find his receivers
down field. That rough four-game stretch to start the season seems
like a distant memory. Start Mariota with extreme confidence.
Grab a Headset
Carson
Wentz @ SEA: Wentz has cooled considerably after a
surprisingly hot start. With only 2 touchdowns over his last five
starts, and an offense that looks to be going run heavy with their
stable of runners Wentz’s stock is way down. A rookie on the road
against a team that blanked Tom Brady last week is a terrible
spot. The Hawks have only allowed 4 touchdown passes in their
four home games so far, and have more interceptions than touchdowns
(6-7) given up on the season. Wentz is well on his way to being
waiver fodder, so keep him far away from your lineup.
Jay
Cutler @ NYG: A few weeks ago Cutler returned to the
lineup and played a near perfect game against what we thought
was a vicious Viking defense. Turns out, Cutler still stinks and
that Vikings defense isn’t so menacing. A four turnover game against
the hapless Bucs defense was all you need to see. If the Bears
had another quarterback to turn to, they surely would, but they’ll
trot Cutler out against a surging Giants defense. He’ll be without
his best lineman and best receiver and should be nowhere near
your starting lineup.
Dak
Prescott vs. BAL: Prescott’s season has been magical
so far, but I think the fact that the Cowboys offense hasn’t
exactly faced a murder’s row of defenses has been understated.
Baltimore represents easily the best defense Prescott has faced
since Week 1. They’ve only allowed one 300 yard passing
game and 7 touchdowns passes in nine games. The Ravens have the
talent on the second and third levels of their defense to give
the Cowboys some problems and I think Prescott will struggle for
stretches in this game. He’s white hot, so sitting him is
always a risk, but there are so many positive matchups this week
I’d go with another if I had the roster flexibility.
